Grant, KB3EMT, shows off his broadband receive antenna.
Note the two complete stations set up in the classroom!
(Photo credit: Rick Miller-AI1V)

      The science department at Mountain View Elementary school in Purcellville is alive and well! Students, parents, and teachers led by John Applin and Jim Jenkins recently planned and executed a "Science Olympiad," inviting area scientists to come and teach fifth graders about their area of expertise. Mr. Applin found the Loudoun Amateur Radio Group on the web and put out a call for help. On Thursday, June 4, Rick and Grant stepped up to the plate and judging from the great reception by the students, hit a homer.

      The format of the day involved specialists setting up displays in classrooms and hallways and students, who signed up in advance for their areas of interest, and rotated through the stations, spending an hour at each one. Rick and Grant were lucky to be assigned to a classroom with a ground level window to accommodate coax going to a multiband VHF/UHF vertical and a 40 meter "Hamstick" dipole. Grant provided the tripods and masts, and he and Rick brought a nice assortment of rigs. Grant also set up a great display and lots of literature and we had some straight keys and code practice oscillator courtesy of Norm, AI2C.

      There were four 50-minute sessions, each with approximately 10 students. The session started with a welcome and a 20 minute presentation on radio basics by "Professor" AI1V. That was followed by some hands on activities and demonstrations including Morse code sending, following AI1V's APRS tracks on the internet, and a radio tracking collar demonstration. But the highlight was when Grant helped the students have their first QSO with Jay, KI4TXP on 2 meter FM. The kids took to the microphone like old hands and gave Jay quite a workout.

      Apart from the incredible preparation and execution on the part of the Mountain View faculty and volunteers, Rick and Grant prepared the presentation and materials, managed to set up an HF and VHF/UHF station in about 20 minutes in the morning, and then take it down in the rain in the afternoon. It was a LOT of work - but that was more than offset by the attitude and enthusiasm of the students. Most participated actively, asking AND answering questions (yes, Professor Rick even had a quiz!). Teaching and working with them was very rewarding and exciting. With the future in their hands, we have nothing to worry about!

      Principal Douglas Martin, along with Mr. Applin and Mr. Jenkins are considering starting a ham radio club next year. I'm sure they'll be calling on LARG for help and information on classes and licensing. Hopefully this will be the start of a good partnership so more members will have the opportunity to work with folks from this great school.

We were up and running on 4 bands in less than a half hour.
(Photo credit: Rick Miller-AI1V)

      Rick and Grant would like to thank the faculty and staff at Mountain View for making them feel so welcome (and for the coffee cups!), the parents for a delicious lunch, and the students for making it all worth the effort.

      Also Jay, KI4TXP, stood by most of the day to provide QSO's for the kids. Special thanks go to our guide and hostess, Sarah, the remarkable fifth-grader who managed to keep us in the right place and on schedule.